ALLEGED THEFT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13645, 13 July 1908, Page 6

ALLEGED THEFT.

CONSTABLE'S LONG bIIASE

On Friday night,' just about 11 o'clock, Constable Collins, , who. is stationed at Pleasant Point, received a, xiKtuage from the Cave to the effect that a, box containing about 40 cigaic, valued at £l, had been stolen from the Cave Hotel, and that three men who were in the hotel bar. just before the cigars were mitred, were ihen on the road to the l'oint, travelling in a cart. '■ Constable Collins awaited their arrival and questioned them, but received an em : .phatic assurance from the men that they knew nothing of the llief , and had not the cigars in their posst-ftsion. They woe then allowed lo proceed towards Arowhentia, whither they were bound, but the constable being dissatisfied with the appearance of one of the men, a Maori named John Whitou, followed them along the road, overtaking them about, halt way between ' Pleasant Point and Arowhenua pah, and after fur.her enquiring and searching discovered the missing box of cigars stuffed rip the back of the Maori's coat, between the shoulders. 1 lie Maori was promptly uiTtSi.ed and taken back to Pleasant Point, arriving there about 1 a.m. on Saturday. On the same morning he was charged with the rlieit at tlu- Timaiu Magistrate's Court, before Mr C. A. Wray, S.M., to whom 'lie pleaded not- guilty, stating, ihat, while admitting haying possession of the cigars when .arrested he could not account for this for lie had betn under the influence of liquor. At Fairlie on Friday night he and his two companions had/each had about nine drinks of whisky - and beer mixed, five .more each at Albury and j another five at the CaviX; lie therefore could not say whether or not he had stolen the, cigars. . • ; Constable Collins, stated that wlien lie arres.ed the accused about two and a half hours after leaving thi Cave he was perfectly sober, and had control of v. his senses. .

His Worehip acceded to the r«qu«sfr'of the police for a remand,, and set the caw down for hearing to-day. - In the nieantime accused, being a ivell-knonn man in 'Arowhenua. and Tciiiuka, \yas - given his liberty. '